A local retail store was bombarded with customer complaints and confusion stemming from unclear parking rules that left drivers frustrated and unsure of where to park. Over time, their parking signs had faded due to constant exposure to sun, rain, and snow. The once-legible symbols and text were now barely readable, leading to frustrations, parking violations, and even minor accidents. After updating their parking signs, the store saw fewer complaints and a noticeable improvement in customer satisfaction. This simple change made a significant difference for the business and its patrons.

Parking signage might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering business improvements, but it’s a detail that can make or break your customer’s experience. Epic Signs & Graphics specializes in crafting durable parking signage that is visually appealing and reflects your company's brand identity. Our expertise ensures your parking signs look professional and comply with all necessary rules and regulations for seamless navigation and enforcement. Check out the before and after photos below:

Refreshing parking signage is more important than you think—here’s why:

1. Legibility

Parking signs are exposed to harsh weather conditions year-round. Sunlight can bleach colors, rain can wash away details, and snow can cause damage, contributing to faded text and symbols. Over time, this makes signs harder to read, leading to confusion for drivers. By refreshing your wayfinding parking signage, you ensure that instructions are clear and easy to follow, preventing misunderstandings.

2. Compliance with Regulations

Rules, regulations, and parking laws change over time. For example, your city may introduce new hours of operation, restrictions, or accessibility requirements. Keeping your regulatory and handicap parking signs updated ensures they comply with current local ordinances and minimizes the risk of fines or penalties for non-compliance.

3. Safety and Clarity

Clear and visible signage ensures drivers can safely navigate your parking lot. Faded or unclear signs can lead to confusion, parking violations, and accidents. Properly maintained parking signs enhance the safety of your lot by providing unambiguous guidance to drivers and pedestrians.

4. Enforcement

For parking rules to be enforced effectively, regulatory signage must be easy to read and understand. Without clear and visible signs, issuing tickets for violations becomes challenging. Refreshing your parking signage helps maintain order in your parking area and ensures that rules are consistently followed.

5. Liability Prevention

If your parking lot lacks clear signage and an accident occurs, your business could face legal risks. This is especially true if the incident is attributed to unclear or outdated signs. Keeping your parking signs up-to-date and visible reduces liability risks and demonstrates your commitment to safety.

6. Aesthetic Appeal

Well-maintained and visually appealing branding signage reflects positively on your business. Faded or damaged signs can give the impression that your company neglects details, while fresh, clean signage creates a welcoming environment. This can enhance the customer experience, encouraging repeat visits and fostering loyalty.

Refreshing your parking signage isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a safer, smoother, and more welcoming experience for everyone who visits your business. Let the signage experts at Epic Signs & Graphics show you how updated signs can be a small investment with big returns, from keeping up with regulations to reducing liability risks and enhancing your brand’s appeal. Don’t let faded signs be the first thing customers notice—revitalize your parking lot today and let your signage speak volumes about your attention to detail and care for your patrons.

For more information, contact Lou Laguardia at lou.laguardia@reprosinc.com.

For Sale signs, windows boarded up, landscape not kept up with… This is a familiar scene across America right now as we continue to face a global pandemic and a major recession. In fact, according to the Washington Post, over 100,000 small businesses have closed since March. With small businesses closing left and right, if your business is still going strong, it’s important to project stability to your customers and prospects. It’s also critical to let people know, “Yes, you are open!” so they don’t pass you by. One way to do this is by having effective business signage.

Here’s the Math: It’s Affordable

Many businesses are being careful with their spending right now. But those businesses that continue to invest in themselves are the ones who will step ahead of their conservative competitors. They are the ones people are seeing and hearing!

Example: Let’s make a conservative estimate that 10,000 vehicles pass your business every day (that’s the average for a moderate to low traffic area). And a newspaper ad in the Plain Dealer has the possibility of reaching 125,000 readers in a day. Divide 125,000 by 10,000, and you will find that the sign reaches the same value as the paper ad within 12.5 days. Signs last much longer than that, of course, so you can expect the cost per impression to be quite low over time. Plus, the business sign does something the ad does not do: It delivers multiple impressions to your potential client base. This helps build your brand recognition.

Good Signs are a Sign of Good Business

So how can you update your exterior marketing without breaking the bank? We have some ideas! Are you more likely to check out a business with outdated or home-printed signs or one with modern graphics clearly more recently applied? Fresh signage builds trust! Here are some low-cost signage updates you can consider:

• Window Signage: By applying full-color perforated window graphics to your store front windows, it not only makes a statement, but it provides additional marketing space and can be see-thru on the inside.

• Yard Signs: Remind passers-by you’re here and in business with simple signs on the street. Use them to highlight features like drive-thru availability.

• Banners: If you’re adding a new service or changing a service in a lasting way, share and promote it with banners in front of your building or on the nearby roadways.

Signs are Simple, Effective & Affordable

We are living in an odd time. There are so many places going out of business, so it’s your duty to make sure your customers and prospects know you’re still there for them. Drive by your business and assess where you can do a better job of showing off your business. Then let us help you figure out the sign that best accomplish your goals.

You can meet and even exceed your sales goals and increase client traffic with the assistance of effective outdoor signs. Cleveland businesses, large and small, can benefit from eye catching and effective outdoor promotional campaigns and permanent exterior signs showing customers where you are located. Below we will detail some of the more popular types of exterior signs offered by Epic Signs & Graphics.

Window Vinyl Graphics

Vinyl is currently one of the most sought after materials in sign making. This is due to its versatility. With very little notice, we can create vinyl decals that affix to just about any surface. They are easy to install, use, and reuse for annual sales or special events. Plus, they are designed to be fade resistant and to last for years.

Monument Signs

Of all signage types, these are perhaps the most recognizable. The most common types are sandblasted, routed letter, and concrete, metal, & foam monument signs. High density urethane foam is one of the materials often found in monument signs today. This is because it is incredibly durable and can be made to look like many other materials, such as stucco, brick, wood, or stone, without the vulnerabilities of these other materials.

Dimensional Building Letters

When you are looking for outdoor signs, Cleveland businesses will be hard pressed to find signs that can handle inclement weather better than dimensional building letters. These signs utilize a variety of different materials to stick out from your storefront to catch the attention of pedestrians as they walk down the sidewalk.

Commercial and Construction Site Signs

This is an umbrella category that includes an array of other signage types, such as safety signs, warning signs, and ADA compliance signs. Often times, these signs are required by law. We understand the laws in the Cleveland area and can help you with the exterior signage you need to make sure you are up to code.

Metal Plaques

If you want something that is long lasting, heavy duty, and distinguished, metal plaques are for you. You can memorialize, dedicate, inform and educate, and commemorate with metal plaques. Bronze, brass, baked enamel, and aluminum are often used to make the plaques. And, they can be custom etched with your message.

LED Message Boards

Also known as electronic message signs and electronic message centers, LED message boards are hot items these days. You can easily change the message you broadcast to your clientele as well as keep a storage bank of your most used messages. This is a great way to share essential information that changes often.

Channel Letters

Last but definitely not least are channel letters. This is the most popular way to display your company’s name directly on the exterior of your building. Available in both illuminated and non-illuminated varieties, channel letters are made from durable extruded aluminum shaped to match your company’s typeface to allow for consistent branding.

If you are unsure about what type of outdoor signage you need or if you are certain you want the best commercial sign company in Cleveland to do the work for you, contact Epic Signs & Graphics today!